Dirigible headlight



J. H. BURNFIEL DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT Aug. 14. 1928.

Eiled Dec 1927 from the casing. this upper bearing support is disclosed as Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

M JAMES H. BURNFIEL, OF SOUTH AKRON, OHIO.

-- DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT.

Application filed December 1, 1927. Serial No. 287,033.

This invention relates to dirigible headlights and more particularly to a means for establishing the electrical connections of the illuminating elements of such lights.

A more specific object of the invention is the improvement of the conducting system illustrated in my prior patent, No. 1,649,661, granted November 15, 1927, for dirigible headlights, to enable the same to be more readily applied to the headlight mounting structure and to provide a structure which is substantially dirt and Water-proof and which may, at the same time, be readily removed for replacement or repair.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying, drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing contact mechanism for dirigible headlight apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a view with the cap removed, parts being broken away.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 10 generally designates a tubular casing having upper and lower bearing supports 11, in. which are mounted bearings 12 for a shaft 13. The shaft 13has at its upper end an enlargement 14 seating upon the upper-bearing 12 and above this the enlargement is provided with an extension, the upper end of which is screw-threaded, as at 14*. Seated upon the enlargement is a cap 15, the depending flange 16 of which extends in close proximity to the wall of the casing 10. This capv is maintained in position by a sleeve 17 and a nut 18. Between the nut and sleeve, the extension extends through. a headlight casing 19, the lower end-of which confronts the cap.

The upper bearing support 11 is recessed in its upper face for the reception of an- 20, which is insulated n "the present instance,

arcuate contact stri having embedded therein an insulating strip 21, in which the contact is seated, although it will, of course, be understood that if desired, the entire support may be formed of insulating material. At one side, the upper bearing support is notched, as indicated at 22, and the contact 20 has a depending flange 23 extending into this notch'and opposing the side wall of the casing 10 in spaced relation thereto. This flange is likewise held in spaced relation to the walls of the notch where the upper bearing support is of conducting material, as illustrated in the present instance. To this end, the insulating insert, which is at the notch 22, is provided with a shallow notch 24, the side edges of which closely fit against the side edges of the flange and the base of which is spaced outwardly from the base of the notch 22.

The wall of the casing 10 in opposition to the flange 23 isrelatively thickened and provided with a radial bore 25 within which is arranged an insulating plug 26, the inner end of this plug having a socket 27 with-' in which is arranged a spring 28 bearing upon a brush 29 which contacts the flange 23. This brush has electrically connected therewith a lead wire 30, which extends through a reduced continuation 31 of the bore to the outer end of the insulating plug and through an opening formed in a cap 32, which retains the plug in position within the bore 25.

The cap 15 in opposition to-the contact 20 is formed with an opening 33 tlu'oughwhich is directed an insulating plug 34 having a socket 35in its inner end, within which is arranged a spring 36 bearing upon a brush 37 engaging the contact. This plug is formed with a flange 38 engaging the upper face of the cap and fitting thereagainst and above the flange has a reduced extension 39, which is of greater length than the collar-.17.

The plug and its extension have an axial passage lO for a lead Wire which is electrically connected to the brush 37. Any suitable means may be provided for securing the plug in position upon the cap. In the present instance, the lower end of the plug and the bore 33 of the cap are shown as having coacting screw threads. 7 g

It will be obvious that with a) device of this character, an excellent electrical connection between the lead wires .30 and 40 which may be had in all positions of the cap 0 posirotates with the shaft 13 to change t ter at the upper end thereof to cause short-;

circuiting and entrance of the water about the plug 3 1 is prevented by the flange 38.

and the screw-threaded connection of the plug. Either of the contacts 29 or 37 may be readily removedfor inspection, repair or replacement.

It will be obvious that this structure may be very readily and cheaply produced and will'befdurable and eflicient in service. Since the construction hereinbefore set forth is capable ofa certain range of change and modification without materially departing from; the spirit, of the invention, I do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. In a headlight mounting, a tubular housing, upper and lower supports within and held against rotation with relation to the housing, a'headlight supporting shaft rotatablein said supports, a cap for the casing carried by and held against rotation with relation to the shaft, an arcuate contact carried by the upper support and insulated from the casing and having a flange opposing the casing wall, a brush support directed through the casing wall and having a brush engaging said flange and a second brush support directed through the upper wall'of the cap and having a brush engaging thearcuate contact.

2. In. a headlight mounting, a tubular housing, upper and lower supports within and held against rotation withrelation to the housing, a headlight supportingshaft rotatable in said supports, a cap for the casing carried by and held against rotation with relation to the shaft, an arcuate contact carried by the, upper support and insulated from the casing and having a flange opposing the casing wall, a brush support directed through the casing wall and having a brush engaging saidflange, a second brushsupport directed throughthe upper wall of the cap and having a brush engaging the arcuate contact, and a headlight casing secured to the'upper end of the shaft, the upper end of the second brush support extending through an opening formed in the headlight casing to the interior thereof.

In a headlight mounting, a tubular housing, upper and lower supports within and held against rotation withrelation to.

the, housing, a headlight supporting shaft rotatable in said supports, a cap for the easing carried by and held against rotation with relation to the shaft, an arcuate contact carried by the upper support and insulated from the casing and having a flange opposing the casing wall, a brush support directed through the casing wall and having a brush engaging said flange, :1 second brush support directed through the upper wall of the cap and having a brush engaging the arouate contact, a headlight casing secured to the upper end of the shaft, the upper end of the second brush support extending through an opening formed in the headlight casing to the interior thereof, and means sealing said second brush support to the cap at the point of its passage therethrough.

4. In a headlight mounting, a tubular housing, upper and lower supports within and held against rotation with relation to the housing, a headlight supportingshaft rotatable in said supports, a cap for the casing carried by and held against rotation with relation to the shaft, an arcuate contact carried by the upper support and insulated from the casing and having a flange opposing the casing wall, a casing wall in opposition to said flange having an opening, a brush support mounted in said opening and having a spring'pressed brush engaging said flange, a cover plate for the opening retaining the brush support in position therein and a second brush support directedthrough the upper wall of the cap and having a brush engaging the arcuate wall of the contact.

5. In a headlight mounting, a tubular housing. upper and lower supports within and held against rotation with relation to the housing, aheadlight supporting shaft rotatable in said supports, a cap forthe casing carried by andheld-against rotation with relation tothe shaft, an arcuate contact carried by the upper support and insulated from the casing and having a flange opposing the casing wall, a brush support directed through the casing wall and having a brush engaging said flange, the cap having an opening in opposition to the arcuate contact, a brush support directed through said opening and having sealing engagement with the cap and a spring-pressed brush carried by the brush holder and engaging the arcuate contact.

6. In a headlight mounting, a tubular housing, upper and lower supports within and held against rotation with relation to the housing, a headlight supporting shaft rotatable in said supports, a cap for the casing carried by and held against rotation with relation to the shaft, an arcuate contact carried by the upper support and insulated from the casing and having a flange oppos ing the casing wall, the casing wall in oppositionto saidflange having an opening, a

brush support mounted in said opening and having a springressed brush engaging said flange, a cover p ate for the opening retaining the brush support in position therein, 5 the cap havingan opening in opposition to the arcuate contact, a. brus support directed through said opening and having sealing enrush carried by the brush holder and engaging the areuate contact.

11 testimon signature.

y whereof I hereunto afiix my JAMES H. BURNFIEL. 

